Advocates stress available resources in wake of Benedict student's death

Ayaanah Gibson (Source: Facebook)

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -

Benedict College students struggle to understand why their classmate 19-year-old Ayaanah Gibson didn't call for medical help after giving birth in her dorm room.

Every student at Benedict is required to pay a health fee, giving them access to the college's health center.

According to the college's website, the health center offers gynecological care and a referral service to specialists, but they're not the only resource. The Coalition for Health Families has an 80-page access guide.

"That lists out all of the different organization and groups and locations that can provide that the citizens of South Carolina can use to access family planning services," said Emma Davidson.

According to Planned Parenthood, more than 259,000 women in South Carolina need family planning services. Davidson believes the state could do better.

"There's always a great need for family planning services in this state," said Davidson. "There's a huge need for information, training, and really knowledge of where you can access these services, where can you go to find a doctor that's willing to talk to you openly and honestly."

Planned Parenthood's health centers in Columbia and Charleston offer a wide range of services, but getting information can be as simple as a text from your cell phone.

"If you want to text S-E-X-T to 74574 it will actually text you back the closest clinic and other information about where you can access services and prescriptions and clinicians," said Davidson.

Other services are a click away on your computer. That includes websites like SouthCarolinaSafeSex.org

"You can go on there and find there's a clinic location and you can type in your zip code. You can also use Bedsider.org, which is another wonderful resource that again has a clinic locator," said Emma.

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